Therapeutic coiffuring instrument

Abstract

A therapeutic coiffuring instrument has a light source disposed with the therapeutic coiffuring instrument to produce light selected to produce therapeutic effects to scalp and hair. Elongate members forming part of the instrument are configured to contact hair and scalp and to conduct the light from the source of light into contact with the hair and scalp.

1 . A therapeutic coiffuring instrument comprising:
 a light source associated with the therapeutic coiffuring instrument and configured to produce light having a therapeutic effect on scalp and hair; and   elongate members which are configured to contact hair and scalp and to conduct light from the source of light into contact with the hair and scalp.   
   
   
       2 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate members are configured to apply low level light directly to the hair and scalp during combing or brushing for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. 
   
   
       3 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate members comprise optical light fibers. 
   
   
       4 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the optical light fibers are enclosed in a structure forming part of the therapeutic coiffuring instrument. 
   
   
       5 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the optical light fibers are made of plastic or glass. 
   
   
       6 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the light source is located in a removable member of the instrument which is detachable from a portion of the instrument which supports the elongate members. 
   
   
       7 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the removable member is configured to be hand held and to act as a flashlight. 
   
   
       8 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the light source is configured to emit light which is essentially the same as daylight and wherein the member is configured to act as a make-up light. 
   
   
       9 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises one of a LED (Light Emitting Diodes) and an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode). 
   
   
       10 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising a battery pack operatively connected with the LED. 
   
   
       11 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising a driver circuit which is operatively connected with the battery pack and is configured to control the wavelength of the light produced by the LED. 
   
   
       12 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the battery pack is rechargeable using either AC or DC sources. 
   
   
       13 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the light source is configured to be connected with a plug-in power supply. 
   
   
       14 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a source having a very low power consumption on the order of milliwatts, and a long life in excess of 25,000 hours. 
   
   
       15 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the light source is configured so that a wavelength of the light emitted from the light source can be selectively fixed or varied. 
   
   
       16 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the light source is configured to double as an emergency light. 
   
   
       17 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the light source is configured so that it can be used as a cosmetic application light. 
   
   
       18 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , having a head portion which is detachable for one of replacement or sanitation. 
   
   
       19 . The therapeutic coiffuring instrument as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate members are configured to emit light from one or more of their sides and tips. 
   
   
       20 . A method of promoting healthy hair, scalp, body and sheen, comprising:
 coiffuring hair and scalp with a therapeutic coiffuring instrument comprising:
 a light source which is disposed with the therapeutic coiffuring instrument and which is selected to produce therapeutic effects to scalp and hair; and 
 elongate members which are configured to contact hair and scalp and to conduct light from the source of light into contact with the hair and scalp.